Business Method of Providing a Channel for Delivering and Distributing Events Based on a Subscription Model for Service Providers to Enhance Sales Opportunities

ABSTRACT

Sales associated with service providers are increased using an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in a schedule or services (time, location). Windows of opportunity (time, physical location) are automatically identified, and once such a window of opportunity is detected, the people affected directly from the change of a schedule are identified. This information is then used by service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. Both service providers and consumers setup a personalized profile in a database, and the system uses a matching process to match related service providers to the consumers&#39; preferences.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/863,268, filed May 24, 2001, pending; which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/768,458, filed Jan. 25, 2001, pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic commerce. More specifically, the present invention is related to enhancing sales for service providers by utilizing an opportunistic e-commerce approach based on an unexpected change in the schedule of services (time, location).

2. Discussion of Prior Art

There has been a steady increase in the speed and ease with which business transactions are carried over a network such as, but not limited to, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LAN's), or the World Wide Web (WWW). Systems based on networks listed above deal with a plethora of information available in various formats (e.g., documents, images, sounds, etc.) A significant focus in recent e-commerce activities revolves around optimization solutions with the end-user as the center of the focus. One common challenge associated with such e-commerce systems is whether or not they are able to filter out relevant or pertinent information that benefits the end-user. Many filtering techniques utilize data extraction as a method to filter out unnecessary documents (or data) and provide only relevant or pertinent information that is beneficial from the end-user's perspective. Data extraction is accomplished in many systems via a method often referred to as data mining.

Data mining involves a class of database applications that look for hidden patterns in a data set. For example, data mining software helps retail companies find customers with common interests. Data mining is commonly misused to describe software that presents data in new ways. True data mining software does not just change the presentation, but discovers previously unknown relationships among the data. In data mining, data is usually collected at the server-side, client-side, proxy servers, or obtained from a database.

Data extracted via data mining fall under many different categories, one common category being web pages that are accessed by end-users via an interface (e.g., browsers like Netscape Navigator® or Internet Explorer®). In general, web pages usually contain, but are not limited to, textual and/or graphical data. One common problem associated with data extracted from web pages is that there is no standard format associated with this data. This is a significant problem encountered by data mining software, since in most cases it is not able to analyze the extracted data in a logical way.

If used to its full advantage, this data can be automatically retrieved and processed for use in business intelligence and various other purposes. For example, data mining used for transportation schedules and tracking can benefit both the traveler (consumer) and business (sales provider). When used along with the advent of personal digital assistants (PDA's) with network connectivity (more specifically Internet connectivity), cellular web telephones with integrated global positioning service (GPS) receivers, etc., there are new opportunities to enhance marketing communication and resulting sales.

Although personalized advertising and direct marketing are becoming more sophisticated through the use of data mining software programs, current advertising and marketing strategies do not enjoy all the benefits from new emerging Internet and e-commerce applications and technologies. Furthermore, none of the prior art systems utilize an opportunistic approach based on an unexpected change in the schedule of services (time, location) with Internet-based technologies to benefit and enhance the generation of sales opportunities for sales providers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a computer-based system comprising: (a) a window of opportunity event generator that automatically identifies an event associated with a subscriber, wherein the event comprises an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by said subscriber is blocked; (b) a distribution channel analyzer that analyzes the event to determine whether the event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) a location tracker receiving location data associated with said subscriber; (d) an event matcher receiving, from said distribution analyzer, an analyzed event that is likely to generate an increase in sales and the event matcher receiving, from said location tracker, the location data associated with the subscriber, wherein the event matcher selects at least one service provider based on the received analyzed event and the received location data, and the event matcher sends an event notification to the selected at least one service provider for servicing the blocked event.

The present invention also provides for a computer-based method comprising the steps of: (a) automatically identifying an event associated with a subscriber, wherein the event comprises an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by the subscriber is blocked; (b) analyzing the event to determine whether the event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) receiving location data associated with the subscriber; (d) receiving consumer profile information regarding previous events associated with the subscriber; (e) selecting at least one service provider based on the received analyzed event in (b), the received location data in (c), and the received consumer profile information in (d); and (f) sending an event notification to the selected service provider in (e) for servicing the blocked event.

The present invention also provides for an article of manufacture comprising computer program product, wherein the computer program product comprises computer readable medium storing processor-executable program code, and the computer readable medium comprises: (a) computer readable program code aiding in automatically identifying an event associated with a subscriber, wherein the event comprises an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by the subscriber is blocked; (b) computer readable program code aiding in analyzing the event to determine whether the event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) computer readable program code aiding in receiving location data associated with the subscriber; (d) computer readable program code aiding in receiving consumer profile information regarding previous events associated with the subscriber; (e) computer readable program code aiding in selecting at least one service provider based on the received analyzed event in (b), the received location data in (c), and the received consumer profile information in (d); and (f) computer readable program code aiding in sending an event notification to the selected service provider in (e) for servicing the blocked event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a general method of obtaining a window of opportunity.

FIG. 2 illustrates a general method of obtaining a suitable service provider once a window of opportunity is identified.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention for enhancing sales for service providers by utilizing a window of opportunity and stored profile information in a database.

FIG. 4 illustrates a general method of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention utilizing a location tracker.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, the device may be produced in many different configurations, forms and materials. There is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the present invention.

One fundamental aspect of the present invention is to determine a so-called “window of opportunity”. An example of determining a window of opportunity is an unexpected change in schedule of public services. For example, consider a train, which is scheduled to leave at 7:00 AM, but due to unknown circumstances the schedule is changed to 7:45 AM. There is a good chance that there are people who use this train to commute to work, and were not informed in time about this unexpected schedule change event. Most of these people probably will decide to wait there until 7:45 AM, instead of investigating alternatives. But, it would be desirable to have a system, which would identify these unexpected events as “window of opportunities.” This identified information is then used by service providers to deliver useful services to these waiting people in order to help them satisfy their demands or utilize their blocked time. Hence, service providers like food delivery services, newspaper delivery services, taxicab services, etc., utilize a opportunistic approach to deliver useful services for these waiting people in order to help them satisfy demands (e.g., deliver food) or utilize their blocked time (e.g., sell a magazine, provide entertainment, etc.)

Once a window of opportunity event is identified, it will be automatically classified into sales and service channels. The location (area) is determined, along with a starting time (and an estimated duration time). The question of how to utilize this new information is raised in order to:

a) help people adjacent or nearby the window of opportunity event to facilitate the consumption of acquiring goods or services

b) enhance sales of retailers or service providers by leveraging the information of a window of opportunity event to target an area around the physical location of this event at a specific time.

By targeting service providers that satisfy the needs of the consumers, customer service and sales figures will increase. In order to achieve this, data must be acquired to aid in the selection process. The organization or institution that is responsible for creating the window of opportunity event might provide additional data to estimate better upcoming sales opportunities. For instance, knowing that a particular train at a specific time carries a certain number of people helps estimate the number of people who might be interested in purchasing goods or services, as well as helps service providers anticipate and estimate the revenue that a particular window of opportunity might generate. This in turn will help service providers in the decision process when deciding whether to accept an incoming window of opportunity event. For instance, a train running late around midnight might carry only a few people. The window of opportunity event generated through the delay of this train might not be attractive to a service provider, since it will most likely not lead to enough sales in order to generate a positive cash flow. Thus, the service provider might choose to decline the offered window of opportunity events. Furthermore, the organization or institution that is causing the event might provide this information on a voluntary basis, helping perform the estimate, or the invention would need to automatically extract it from public sources and databases (e.g., using existing crawling and data mining technologies).

In one embodiment, retail and service providers supply a business profile (e.g., kind of services or goods they offer, delivery radius, pricing, etc.) to the system as described in further detail below. In a variation of this embodiment, consumers setup a personalized user profile comprising preferences, etc. This information is used to build rules to maximize the personalization experience. For instance, if a person misses a train, they might prefer to read special literature or prefer vegetarian food instead of meat, etc. This provides both an advantage to service providers and customers. Having a service provider automatically taking care of some of the customers needs might help soothe the feelings of the customers when confronted with the delay.

A continuous matching process for each window of opportunity event is provided, such that the system matches the service providers to the consumers in various ways. One example is to maximize a service provider's sales. The system, however, is open to other matching strategies, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The mentioned window of opportunity events, in another embodiment, overlap in terms of location and/or time. Such adjacent window of opportunity events are investigated to see whether combining the events based on a defined strategy will provide the best solution. For instance, two different events, around the same physical location, with a ten minute delay, might be of interest to the same service provider. In such a case, the second event could be added to the first one based on various criteria.

Using the train example from above, the invention will now be illustrated. A window of opportunity event is identified by a system. The invention then determines service providers who are potentially interested in this event, and notifies the service providers accordingly with the event, location, time, etc. Some service providers are interested in having exclusive coverage for a particular event type or location to gain a competitive advantage. As in the train example, three hot dog providers within the area of the event may be a match. However, hot dog provider A paid extra to have exclusive rights in a particular geographic area. This hot dog provider would then receive a notification about the newly discovered window of opportunity event, while the others are notified at a later time, or not at all. This information is then used to perform sales activities in the area of the identified window of opportunity. A matching algorithm will try to optimize the chances of enhancing sales by obtaining good matches. Any known or available matching algorithm can be used; in the present invention, however, for a good match to be obtained the algorithm has to consider:

a) the location of the event in relation to the service area of providers

b) the (estimated) duration of the event in relation to time a service provider is able to start providing services in the area

c) the type of event in relation to the type of services matched.

Additional criteria may also be used for the matching algorithm to overall enhance the possibility of sales associated with the window of opportunity event.

In addition, the system utilizes a subscription management service. Users are able to subscribe to the service and choose their preferences in order to improve the service provider selection process. Those that are adjacent or nearby a window of opportunity event can also be identified, for example, by carrying a location-tracking device (e.g. GPS), which is connected to a centralized real-time tracking database. This optional information would be obtained from a location based tracking system.

The present invention will make use of the identified “window of opportunities” as fully described in the related application “Enhancing Sales for Service Providers by Utilizing an Opportunistic Approach Based on an Unexpected Change in Schedule of Services” and introduce a new business process to leverage the produced window of opportunity events in order to associate them with distribution channels (service providers) by integrating users preferences.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates the method of obtaining a “window of opportunity”. First the invention detects any unexpected change in schedules 100. Next, the system determines whether or not the people are affected by said detected change 102. If the people are affected, then the system determines if this information is beneficial to any service provider 104. The system detects and identifies a “window of opportunity” 106 if the information is in fact beneficial to at least one service provider.

Once such a window is detected, there are several possibilities. First, in a preferred embodiment, the invention will determine what type of service provider might benefit from this information. Second, the invention might determine whether people are affected directly from the change of schedule. This information is then used by these service providers to act quickly in order to enhance sales. The heuristics to determine a window of opportunity are only based on schedule changes, which are associated with a rules database.

FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of the process of finding a suitable service provider when an unexpected schedule change occurs. After identifying a “window of opportunity” 200, the system identifies a demand 202 associated with the persons affected by the “window of opportunity.” This identified demand 202 is generally found through the use of a consumer profile database, which will be discussed in further detail below. Next, the system matches service providers 204 that satisfy this demand by searching through a service provider profile database, also discussed in further detail below. If a match is found, the services are delivered to satisfy the demand 206.

Hence, the present invention provides a very valuable framework for detecting “windows of opportunities” and using stored database information for the satisfaction of customers for finding sufficient service providers. By utilizing emerging Internet technologies, and providing a basis for service providers to take advantage of these opportunities, the production of additional sales will increase.

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, which comprises:

a) Window of Opportunity Event Generator 300

-   -   Window of opportunity event generator 300 originates an event         and identifies the starting time and (estimated) duration time         of the event.

b) Service Provider Profile DB 302

-   -   This database contains data of service providers, and is used by         Event Matcher 310. Service Providers and retailers provide         information such as services and goods for Event Matcher 310 to         analyze when an event occurs.

c) Consumer Profile DB (Optional) 304

-   -   This optional database contains additional data of         consumers/users. Data such as the preferences (likes and         dislikes) of the consumers is stored here.

d) Institution/Organization DB (Optional) 306

-   -   This optional data contains additional data of institutions and         organizations that generate events. Examples of an institution         or organization are airline companies that publish a schedule         for flights online.

e) Distribution Channel Analyzer 308

-   -   One key functionality of Distribution Channel Analyzer 308 is to         estimate the probability of sales. Distribution Channel Analyzer         308 receives an event and analyzes it based on a set of criteria         and rules. Rules are obtained from Channel Rules DB 316.         Additional data is obtained from Institution/Organization DB         306, if available, or gathered automatically from the Internet         using public sources of information. Distribution Channel         Analyzer 308 analyzes the incoming event and the additional data         by applying rules to make some decision about the event. Events         are all stored in Event DB 318, which can also be used for         forming a decision. For instance, based on some history data         from Event DB 318, an event is dropped if there is a rule that         the identified event was already dispatched on the same day, or         the identified event did not produce enough sales at previous         times. The likelihood of producing more sales is not high         enough, so the analyzer 308 makes the decision not to pursue         matching a service provider with the event.         -   For example, an event (A) from an airline is received             stating a particular flight will have a delay of 15 minutes;             a similar event (B) was received a week ago with a similar             delay period. Event (B) was forwarded as a window of             opportunity where rules were applied to that event, and led             only to marginal sales for the service providers. Similarly,             the current event (A) is forwarded as a window of             opportunity. Based on the previous experience, event (B), it             is assumed that the probability to generate high sales is             unlikely, and, therefore, the event is dropped.

f) Service Provider Profile Manager

-   -   This Profile Manager component allows customizing and managing         profile data. For simplicity it is not shown in the system         architecture.

g) Consumer Profile Manager (Optional)

-   -   This Profile Manager component allows customizing and managing         profile data. For simplicity it is not shown in the system         architecture.

h) Institution/Organization Profile Manager (Optional)

-   -   This Profile Manager component allows customizing and managing         profile data. For simplicity it is not shown in the system         architecture.

i) Event Matcher 310

-   -   Event Matcher 310 receives an analyzed event from Distribution         Analyzer component 308. It then looks for appropriate sales and         distribution channels, while integrating consumer data from         previous events and the location of possible consumers from         Location Tracker 314 (if available). Service Provider Profile         Database 302 provides appropriate retailers and providers. An         event notification is sent to the selected service provider.         This service provider then accepts or declines the task of         servicing the event. Feedback of how the event was serviced,         originated sales, etc. is also obtained from the service         provider and stored in Event DB 318, so that future events can         leverage this information.

j) Accounting Manager 312

-   -   This component provides accounting functionality. For instance,         the system will charge commission fees for the distribution of         events. Accounting Manager 312 keeps track of all business         transactions.

k) Location Tracker (optional) 314

-   -   This optional component keeps track of the location of         subscribed consumers in a database. For instance, a consumer         carries a Location Generator 320 such as a location tracking         device (e.g. cellular phone, GPS positioning device), which         transmits location data continuously to the location tracker.

l) Channel Rules DB 316

-   -   A database that contains rules which can be applied to         particular channels.

m) Event DB 318

-   -   All events are stored in this database, along with additional         data (e.g. accounting data, generated sales, etc.)

n) Location Generator 320

-   -   A location tracking device that correlates a subscribed         consumer's location back to Location tracker 314.

FIG. 4 illustrates a general overview of the process of the preferred embodiment. After a window of opportunity is identified 400, the event is analyzed with the associated database rules 402. Appropriate sales channels are then searched 404 while integrating both service provider and consumer stored profiles (if applicable). An event notification is sent to the selected service provider matching the requirements needed 406, and event information is then stored in a database for future event matches 408.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of a location tracker. A location tracking device, such as a cellular phone 500 or other GPS device 502, transmits location data 504 continuously to a location tracker database 506, where subscribed consumers' locations are maintained or found for use when an event occurs. Should a number of subscribed customers be present when an event takes place, the tracker 506 assists in determining the service provider for a more personalized experience.

CONCLUSION

A system and method has been shown in the above embodiments for the effective implementation of a business method of providing a channel for delivering and distributing events based on a subscription model for service providers to enhance sales opportunities. While various preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, it is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. For example, the present invention should not be limited by software/program, computing environment, specific computing hardware, communications mediums, specific distribution channels, vendor types or subscription models.

The present invention may be implemented in various computing environments. For example, the present invention may be implemented on a conventional IBM PC or equivalent, multi-nodal system (e.g. LAN) or networking system (e.g. Internet, WWW, wireless web). All programming and data related thereto are stored in computer memory, static or dynamic, and may be retrieved by the user in any of: conventional computer storage, display (i.e., CRT) and/or hardcopy (i.e., printed) formats. The programming of the present invention may be implemented by one of skill in the art of database or rules-based programming. 

1. A computer-based system comprising: (a) a window of opportunity event generator, said window of opportunity event generator automatically identifying an event associated with a subscriber, said event comprising an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by said subscriber is blocked; (b) a distribution channel analyzer, said distribution channel analyzer analyzing said event to determine whether said event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) a location tracker receiving location data associated with said subscriber; an event matcher receiving, from said distribution analyzer, an analyzed event that is likely to generate an increase in sales and said event matcher receiving, from said location tracker, said location data associated with said subscriber, wherein said event matcher selects at least one service provider based on said received analyzed event and said received location data, and said event matcher sends an event notification to said selected at least one service provider for servicing said blocked event.
 2. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein said event matcher selects said at least one service provider additionally based on consumer profile information regarding previous events associated with said subscriber.
 3. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises an accounting manager, said accounting manager cooperating with said event matcher to provide an accounting functionality for said at least one of said service providers.
 4. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein location data is received from a GPS receiver.
 5. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein location data is received from a cellular telephone.
 6. The computer-based system of claim 1, wherein location data is received from a portable wireless device.
 7. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein said event notification is sent over a network.
 8. The computer-based method of claim 7, wherein said network is any of the following: local area network (LAN), wide area network (LAN), or the Internet.
 9. A computer-based method comprising the steps of: (a) automatically identifying an event associated with a subscriber, said event comprising an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by said subscriber is blocked; (b) analyzing said event to determine whether said event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) receiving location data associated with said subscriber; (d) receiving consumer profile information regarding previous events associated with said subscriber; (e) selecting at least one service provider based on said received analyzed event in (b), said received location data in (c), and said received consumer profile information in (d); and sending an event notification to said selected at least one service provider in (e) for servicing said blocked event.
 10. The computer-based method of claim 9, wherein said method further comprises the step of providing an accounting functionality for said at least one of said service providers.
 11. The computer-based method of claim 9, wherein location data is received from a GPS receiver.
 12. The computer-based method of claim 9, wherein location data is received from a cellular telephone.
 13. The computer-based method of claim 9, wherein location data is received from a portable wireless device.
 14. The computer-based method of claim 9, wherein said event notification is sent over a network.
 15. The computer-based method of claim 14, wherein said network is any of the following: local area network (LAN), wide area network (LAN), or the Internet.
 16. An article of manufacture comprising computer program product, said computer program product comprising computer readable medium storing processor-executable program code, said medium comprising: (a) computer readable program code aiding in automatically identifying an event associated with a subscriber, said event comprising an unexpected period of inactivity when an activity previously scheduled by said subscriber is blocked; (b) computer readable program code aiding in analyzing said event to determine whether said event is likely to generate an increase in sales; (c) computer readable program code aiding in receiving location data associated with said subscriber; (d) computer readable program code aiding in receiving consumer profile information regarding previous events associated with said subscriber; (e) computer readable program code aiding in selecting at least one service provider based on said received analyzed event in (b), said received location data in (c), and said received consumer profile information in (d); and computer readable program code aiding in sending an event notification to said selected at least one service provider in (e) for servicing said blocked event.
 17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein said medium further comprises computer readable program code aiding in providing an accounting functionality for said at least one of said service providers. 